Looking up...
since
/sɪns/
from a past time until now
I've known her since 2010.
This means the speaker has known her from 2010 until the present.
general
from a time in the past until now
She's been working here since last year.
This means she started working last year and continues to work now.
Often used with perfect tenses (have/has been) to indicate an action that started in the past and continues.
general
because
Since you're here, let's have coffee.
This means 'because you're here, let's have coffee.'
This meaning is more common in informal contexts.
general
from the time when
Since the weather is nice, let's go outside.
This means 'from the time when the weather is nice, let's go outside.'
This meaning is less common and often interchangeable with 'because.'
Collocations
since whenused to express surprise or disbeliefsince thenfrom that time until now
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Time vs. Reason
Use 'since' to refer to time when it follows a time expression (e.g., 'since 2010'). Use it to refer to reason when it follows a clause (e.g., 'since you asked').
Gold Rule
Perfect Tenses
'Since' is often used with perfect tenses (have/has been) to indicate an action that started in the past and continues to the present.
Word Origin
From Middle English 'sins', from Old English 'sīðþan', from Proto-Germanic '*sīþan' (after, since).
Usage Notes
The word 'since' can function as a conjunction, preposition, or adverb. Its meaning depends on the context and the tense of the verb it accompanies.
Word Breakdown
since
from a past time until now
rootEnglish Dictionary